Div Com inaugurates anti-tobacco sensitization training programme for Social Welfare Officers

Srinagar , 29.8.2011:

J&K Voluntary Health Association organized a sensitization programme for officers of Social Welfare Department and NGOs about Section 4 & 6 of Tobacco Control Act 2003.

The program was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Abdul Majid Mir, IAS who emphasized the officers of Social Welfare Deptt to ensure that their offices and subordinate offices are made smoke free. Div Com highlighted the serious health hazards and burden of tobacco usage to the officers and the NGOs who attended the tobacco Program in the Committee room of Local Bodies at Old Secretariat Srinagar. He directed that the District Level Monitoring & Steering Committees constituted by the State Govt. should create awareness amongst the people about the hazards of smoking and enforcement of various provisions of Section 4 & 6 of Tobacco Control Act. He emphased that sale of cigarettes to persons below the age of 18 years shall not be allowed and sale of tobacco within 100 yards of any educational institutions shall not be allowed. Divisional Commissioner appreciated the role of J&K VHA for having launched a vigorous Public awareness campaign against cigarette and tobacco smoking in educational institutions and Govt. offices. He urged that similar programme shoudl be held in villages, towns and districts

Director, Social Welfare Kashmir, Hilal Ahmed, said that officers of Social Welfare Department are providing various social welfare services to the people, especially women and children and other members of the committee at the grass root level and there should be no difficulty for them to advise them regarding the ill effects of cigarette smoking and other Tobacco Products. He emphasized to his subordinate officers to ensure strict enforcement of Tobacco Control Act in their jurisdictions.

Mohammad Afzal, IAS, Director Local Bodies Kashmir, also emphasized on the need to create awareness amongst Government Officers as well as the public in general regarding the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act.

A.M. Mir (IAS Retd) Executive Director J&K VHA welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of sensitization of officers of the State Govt. and said these officers can convey the messages to the people and beneficiaries of the social welfare schemes about the ill effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Earlier a sensitization programme was also organized in Lal Mandi complex for the District Officers of Srinagar. Shabir Ahmad, Inspector Drug & Food Control Organisation &  Dr. Abdul Majeed, Associate Professor SKIMS made power point presentations and highlighted the hazards of tobacco and the legal aspects.